-272- 



Three separate stocks- -Comp1ete data for production 

 model analysis, assuming three stocks in the Pacific were not available for 

 examination. An appraisal of the condition of the stocks was therefore 

 based on estimates of apparent abundance from Japanese longline data for 

 1952-1975. 



stock is given, 



For this paper, an analysis of only the eastern Pacific 



Longline catches in the eastern Pacific (Area 3 of Figure 

 1) showed an increasing trend after 1960, following a period of small 

 catches from 1952 to 1960 (Figure 8); the catch rates gradually increased 

 from about 2 fish/10,000 hooks in 1954 to 6 fish/10,000 hooks in 1968 

 (Figure 5). In 1969 and 1970, the catch rates increased sharply to a 

 record high of about 11 fish/10,000 hooks, before declining to a level of 

 about 6 fish/10,000 hooks in 1971-1975. 



III.B.3. Results of Yield-per-Recrui t Analysis 

 None available. 



III.B.4. Results of Spawner/Recruitment Analysis 

 None available. 



III.B.5. Results of Other Analyses/Simulations 

 None available. 



III.C. Current Evaluation of Stocks and the Fishery 



The swordfish stocks of the Pacific Ocean appear to be healthy and 

 capable of sustaining increased yields with increased effort. However, 

 should the longline fishery resort to night fishing as was the standard 

 method of fishing in some areas prior to the mid-1960's, then the greater 

 efficiency of the gear could result in the catch exceeding the MSY when the 

 current level of fishing effort is increased about 25%. 



Available techniques for stock identification are expensive to 

 apply and not entirely reliable in producing clear results. Different 

 stock structure hypotheses should be tested with existing fisheries data to 

 determine their impact on assessments before any major program for stock 

 identification of swordfish is considered. The key to more precise stock 

 assessments for swordfish is more reliable information on stock densities 

 and better estimates of population dynamics parameters. 



